Dine R&#39; Tray

ABSTRACT

A removable tray device is disclosed that offers a simple and easy way to eat or drink when sitting outside. The removable tray device comprises a tray component, an attachment assembly for securing the tray component to a folding chair, and a swivel component secured to the tray component for allowing the tray component to rotate horizontally or vertically. The attachment assembly is typically a spring and latch mechanism permanently secured to the front leg of the folding chair. The swivel component is typically a swivel joint which affixes the tray component to the spring and latch mechanism and allows the tray component to rotate horizontally about the front leg with the spring and latch mechanism, and rotate vertically down when not in use. The tray component further comprises a pair of opposing cut-out notches to further secure the tray component to the folding chair.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/818,018 filed May 1, 2013.

BACKGROUND

It can be difficult for individuals to eat or drink when sitting outside or away from a table or other stable generally horizontal surface. People typically have to balance a full plate of food on their lap while clutching their drink in one hand and their eating utensils in the other hand. Further, with any sudden movement, individuals can bobble their plate or beverage and spill it all over their lap. This can be a messy, frustrating, embarrassing and extremely inconvenient experience. An effective solution is necessary.

The present invention provides a flat tray surface for eating, drinking, or other activities when sitting outside or when a table or other surface is not readily available to place one's plate or cup on, and rotates down against the side of the chair when not in use for convenient storage. The removable tray device prevents users from spilling food or beverages on their lap and making a mess, and eliminates the hassle of transporting and setting up an outdoor table and chairs. The tray device benefits everyone, including campers, sports fans, and anyone enjoying the outdoors.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a removable tray device that offers a simple and easy way to eat or drink when sitting outside or away from a traditional table. The removable tray device comprises a tray component, an attachment assembly for securing the tray component to a folding chair, and a swivel component secured to the tray component for allowing the tray component to rotate horizontally or vertically between a stored position and a use position. The attachment assembly is typically a spring and latch mechanism permanently secured to a front leg of a folding chair, and the swivel component is typically a swivel joint which affixes the tray component to the spring and latch mechanism and allows the tray component to rotate horizontally about the front leg with the spring and latch mechanism, and rotate vertically down for storage when not in use.

In a preferred embodiment, the tray component comprises a cut-out drink holder on the top surface for retaining a beverage or other item. Additionally, the tray component further comprises a pair of opposing cut-out notches, one positioned on the front edge and one on the back edge of the tray component, the opposing cut-out notches act to further secure the tray component to the folding chair when the tray component is in front of the folding chair or is to the side of the folding chair.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the removable tray device extended in front of a chair in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the removable tray device extended at the side of a chair in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the removable tray device rotated down in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a perspective view of the removable tray device rotating in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the removable tray device in use in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

The present invention provides a flat tray surface for eating, drinking, or other activities when sitting outside or away from a traditional table, and rotates down against the side of the chair when not in use for convenient storage. The removable tray device prevents users from spilling food or beverages on their lap and making a mess, and eliminates the hassle of transporting and setting up an outdoor table and chairs. The tray device benefits everyone, including campers, sports fans, and anyone enjoying the outdoors or who does not have ready access to a traditional table.

The disclosed removable tray device comprises a tray component, an attachment assembly for securing the tray component to a folding chair, and a swivel component secured to the tray component for allowing the tray component to rotate horizontally or vertically relative to the ground. The attachment assembly is typically a spring and latch mechanism permanently secured to the front leg of the folding chair The swivel component is typically a swivel joint which affixes the tray component to the spring and latch mechanism and allows the tray component to rotate horizontally about the front leg with the spring and latch mechanism, and rotate vertically down when not in use. The tray component further comprises a pair of opposing cut-out notches to further secure the tray component to the folding chair.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the removable tray device 100 that offers a simple and easy way to eat or drink when sitting outside. The removable tray device 100 comprises a tray component 102, an attachment assembly 104 for securing the tray component 102 to a folding chair 106, and a swivel component 108 secured to the tray component 102 for allowing the tray component 102 to rotate (or swivel) horizontally or vertically (as shown in FIG. 1).

The tray component 102 comprises a top surface 110, a bottom surface 112, a front edge 114, a back edge 116, and opposing sides 118. Typically, the tray component 102 is rectangular in shape but can be any suitable shape as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, such as oval, circular, square, etc., as long as the tray component 102 can support food, beverages, and/or other items. The tray component 102 would generally be constructed of UV stabilized and food grade plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), etc., or composite polymers, though any other suitable material may be used to manufacture the tray component 102 as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention.

The tray component 102 can also comprise a variety of colors and designs to suit user and manufacturing preference. While the shape and size of the tray component 102 may vary greatly depending on the wants and needs of a user, the tray component 102 is approximately between 13 and 14 inches in depth as measured from a front edge 114 to a back edge 116, and approximately between 19 and 22 inches wide as measured from opposing sides 118, and approximately between ¾ and 1 inch thick as measured from a top surface 110 to a bottom surface 112.

Additionally, the tray component 102 is secured to a folding chair 106. The folding chair 106 can be any typical folding chair as is known in the art, or any other suitable chair, bench, etc. The folding chair 106 comprises a pair of front legs 122 and a pair of back legs 124, a seat 126, a back rest 128, a pair of arms 130, and supports 132, and other suitable parts of a chair. The folding chair 106 typically comprises coated aluminum tubing for legs 122 and 124 and/or arms 130 and/or supports 132, or other suitable materials as is known in the art. The seat 126 and back rest 128 can be made from a durable, weatherproof material, such as canvas, or any other suitable material as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention.

The removable tray device 100 further comprises an attachment assembly 104 secured to a front leg 122 of the folding chair 106 for removably securing the tray component 102 to the front leg 122. The attachment assembly 104 is typically a spring and latch mechanism 105 permanently secured to the front leg 122 of the folding chair 106 (as shown in FIG. 2), however any other suitable attachment assembly 104 can be used as is known in the art, as long as the attachment assembly 104 removably secures the tray component 102 to the folding chair 106.

The attachment assembly 104 can be secured to either front leg 122 of the folding chair 106, depending on the needs and wants of a user. The tray component 102 is then secured to whichever leg 122 of the folding chair 106 comprises the attachment assembly 104. Therefore, a right-handed user can secure the tray component 102 to the right front leg of the folding chair 106 and a left-handed user can secure the tray component 102 to the left front leg of the folding chair 106.

Further, the tray component 102 comprises support arms 103 (as shown in FIG. 2) that are secured to the bottom 112 of the tray component 102 and that fold up and store under the tray component 102 when not in use. The support arms 103 can be secured to the tray component 102 via any suitable securing means as is known in the art, such as gluing, welding, fasteners, etc. During use, the support arms 103 are folded down and secured to the legs 122, 124, or supports 132 of the chair 106. Specifically, the support arms 103 fit over and are secured to a raised bolt 101 or other securing device as is known in the art on the legs 122, 124 or supports 132 of the chair 106.

Additionally, the tray device 100 comprises a swivel component 108 secured to the tray component 102 for allowing the tray component 102 to rotate (or swivel) to a front of the folding chair 106 (as shown in FIG. 1), rotate (or swivel) to a side of the folding chair 106 (as shown in FIG. 2), or rotate downward into a storage position (as shown in FIG. 3). The swivel component 108 is typically a swivel joint which affixes the tray component 102 to the spring and latch mechanism 105 and allows the tray component 102 to rotate (or swivel) horizontally about the front leg 122 with the spring and latch mechanism 105, and rotate vertically down when not in use (as shown in FIG. 3). However, any other suitable swivel component 108 can be used as is known in the art, as long as the swivel component 108 secures to the tray component 102 and allows it to rotate (or swivel).

In a further preferred embodiment, the tray component 102 comprises a cut-out or continuous opening, or a shallow indentation on the top surface 110 of the tray component 102. The continuous opening acts as a drink holder 120 for retaining a beverage or other item. The tray component 102 can comprise any suitable number of drink holders 120 depending on the wants and needs of a user. Additionally, the tray component 102 further comprises a pair of opposing cut-out notches 134, one positioned on the front edge 114 and one on the back edge 116 of the tray component 102, the opposing cut-out notches 134 act to further secure the tray component 102 to the folding chair 106 when the tray component 102 is in front of the folding chair 106 or is to the side of the folding chair 106. The tray component 102 can comprise any suitable number of cut-out notches 134 depending on the wants and needs of a user.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the removable tray device 100 rotating. As stated supra, the tray device 100 comprises a swivel component 108 secured to the tray component 102 for allowing the tray component 102 to rotate (or swivel) to a front of the folding chair 106, rotate (or swivel) to a side of the folding chair 106, or rotate down into a storage position. The swivel component 108 is typically a swivel joint which affixes the tray component 102 to the spring and latch mechanism 105 and allows the tray component 102 to rotate (or swivel) horizontally about the front leg 122 with the spring and latch mechanism 105 (as shown in FIG. 4B), and rotate vertically down when not in use (as shown in FIG. 4A). However, any other suitable swivel component 108 can be used as is known in the art, as long as the swivel component 108 secures to the tray component 102 and allows it to rotate (or swivel).

FIG. 5 illustrates the removable tray device 100 in use. As stated supra, the removable tray device 100 comprises a tray component 102, an attachment assembly 104 for securing the tray component 102 to a folding chair 106, and a swivel component 108 secured to the tray component 102 for allowing the tray component 102 to rotate horizontally or vertically. The attachment assembly 104 is typically a spring and latch mechanism 105 permanently secured to the front leg 122 of the folding chair 106. The swivel component 108 is typically a swivel joint which affixes the tray component 102 to the spring and latch mechanism 105 and allows the tray component 102 to rotate horizontally about the front leg 122 with the spring and latch mechanism 105, and rotate vertically down when not in use. The tray component 102 further comprises a pair of opposing cut-out notches 134 to further secure the tray component 102 to the folding chair 106.

In operation, a user 500 would choose the size and/or color of the removable tray device 100 that meets the user's needs and/or wants. The user 500 would then attach the removable tray device 100 to a predetermined folding chair 106 via attaching the tray component 102 to the spring and latch mechanism 105 positioned on the front leg 122 of the folding chair 106 via a swivel joint. The user 500 can then sit in the folding chair 106 and can rotate the tray component 102 to the front of the folding chair 106 and lock it in position via the spring and latch mechanism 105, or can rotate the tray component 102 to the side of the folding chair 106 and lock it in position via the spring and latch mechanism 105, depending on the needs and wants of the user 500. Once the user 500 is done using the removable tray device 100, the user 500 can rotate down the tray component 102 in a storage position (as shown in FIG. 3). Thus, the removable tray device 100 provides a flat tray surface for eating, drinking, or other activities when sitting outside, and rotates down against the side of the chair 106 when not in use for convenient storage.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable tray device for use with a chair comprising: a tray component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, and a back edge; and an attachment assembly secured to a front leg of the chair for removably securing the tray component to the front leg; and a swivel component secured to the tray component for allowing the tray component to rotate to a front of the chair, rotate to a side of the folding chair, or rotate down into a storage position.
 2. The removable tray device of claim 1, wherein the tray component further comprises a pair of opposing cut-out notches, one positioned on the front edge and one on the back edge of the tray component, the opposing cut-out notches act to further secure the tray component to the chair.
 3. The removable tray device of claim 1, wherein the tray component further comprises a continuous opening for a drink holder on the top surface.
 4. The removable tray device of claim 1, wherein the attachment assembly is a spring and latch mechanism secured to the front leg of the chair.
 5. The removable tray device of claim 4, wherein the swivel component is a swivel joint which affixes the tray component to the spring and latch mechanism and allows the tray component to rotate horizontally about the chair.
 6. The removable tray device of claim 1, wherein the tray component is comprised of food grade and UV stabilized plastic.
 7. The removable tray device of claim 1, wherein the tray component is comprised of a composite polymer.
 8. The removable tray device of claim 1, wherein the tray component is approximately 22 inches in width.
 9. The removable tray device of claim 1, wherein the tray component is approximately 14 inches in depth.
 10. A removable tray device for use with a folding chair comprising: a tray component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, and a back edge; and a spring and latch mechanism secured to a front leg of the folding chair for removably securing the tray component to the front leg; a swivel joint secured to the tray component for allowing the tray component to rotate horizontally to a front of the folding chair, rotate horizontally to a side of the folding chair, or rotate vertically down into a storage position; and a pair of opposing cut-out notches, one positioned on the front edge and one on the back edge of the tray component, the opposing cut-out notches act to further secure the tray component to the folding chair when the tray component is in front of the folding chair or is to the side of the folding chair.
 11. The removable tray device of claim 10, wherein the tray component further comprises a continuous opening for a drink holder on the top surface.
 12. The removable tray device of claim 10, wherein the tray component is comprised of food grade and UV stabilized plastic.
 13. The removable tray device of claim 10, wherein the tray component is comprised of a composite polymer.
 14. The removable tray device of claim 10, wherein the tray component is approximately 22 inches in width.
 15. The removable tray device of claim 10, wherein the tray component is approximately 14 inches in depth.
 16. A removable tray assembly comprising: a folding chair comprising a pair of front legs and a pair of back legs, a seat, and a back rest; and a tray component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, and a back edge; a spring and latch mechanism secured to one of the front legs of the folding chair for removably securing the tray component to the front leg; and a swivel joint secured to the tray component for allowing the tray component to rotate horizontally to a front of the folding chair, rotate horizontally to a side of the folding chair, or rotate vertically down into a storage position.
 17. The removable tray assembly of claim 16, wherein the tray component further comprises a pair of opposing cut-out notches, one positioned on the front edge and one on the back edge of the tray component, the opposing cut-out notches act to further secure the tray component to the folding chair when the tray component is in front of the folding chair or is to the side of the folding chair.
 18. The removable tray device of claim 16, wherein the tray component further comprises a continuous opening for a drink holder on the top surface.
 19. The removable tray device of claim 16, wherein the tray component is comprised of food grade and UV stabilized plastic.
 20. The removable tray device of claim 10, wherein the tray component is approximately 22 inches in width and approximately 14 inches in depth. 